Ultimate Everest

Anapurna
From left to right: Lhotse, Everest and Nuptse (Photo: Jwalant Gurung)

Ultimate Everest Trek – Kalapathar, Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Ri, (23 days, 22 nights)

More than fifty years after the first ascent of Mt. Everest, trekkers continue to embark on this journey to the base camp of Everest via the classic route. As you trek through the villages of the famous Sherpa people, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of snow-capped mountains that rise above the clouds.

After visiting the Everest Base Camp, climb Kalapathar (18,195 ft) for an up-close view of the south face of Everest. Then you will cross a near 18,000 ft. pass (Cho La) to Gokyo village via the Ngozumpa glacier. At Gokyo, hike to the summit of Gokyo Ri from where you can view four mountains over 8,000 meters: Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu. From Gokyo, cross another near 18,000 ft pass, Renjo La, to reach Thame. Descend to Lukla, where the trek ends, via Khumjung.

This is the comprehensive trek for the Everest region and allows you to see more of everything: spectacular mountain vistas, Sherpa culture and remote rustic valleys. Again, did we mention AWESOME mountain views?

Itinerary

Day 01 - Kathmandu

Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel Tibet. Day Free. Enjoy welcome dinner. Briefing during dinner. (Dinner)

Day 02 - Kathmandu


Pashupati temple (Photo: Jenny Gurung)

Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu. You will be accompanied by our in-house city guide. In the morning, visit Bodhanath, the Stupa of a million dew drops, to watch monks and devotees circumambulate the largest stupa in the world. Then visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Drive to Patan for lunch in the garden of the Patan Museum Café. After lunch, visit the well-maintained Patan Museum storing ancient Nepali artifacts, followed by a tour of Patan Durbar (palace) Square.

Drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (Breakfast and Lunch)

 

Day 03 - Kathmandu to Phakding (8,700 ft.)

Early morning flight to Lukla. The duration of the flight is around 25 minutes. At Lukla, you will meet up with your porters and other trek staff. After a quick breakfast, begin trekking. Today’s three to four hour trek to Phakding is on fairly level trail. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 04 - Phakding to Namche (11,270 ft.)

Today you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monju. After lunch, past Jorsalle, begins the grueling climb to the largest Sherpa village in the Khumbu region - Namche. Weather permitting, today, you will get your first view of Mt. Everest at the beginning of the ascent to Namche. Namche is shaped like an ampitheater and has numerous lodges, bars and bakeries. Tibetan traders who cross the near 20,000 ft pass - Nangpa la - sell their wares here. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 05 - Namche (11,270 ft.)

Today is an acclimatization day. You are free to visit the National Park Museum or wander around Namche town. The early morning mountain view, looking north from the park head-quarters, of Amadablam, Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse is amazing. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 06 - Namche to Tengboche (12,900 ft.)

From Namche, walk on level trail for a while enjoying mountain views. Past Sanasa, descend to Phunki Tenga. After lunch, it is again a grueling three to four hours of uphill to Tengboche monastery. After settling into your rooms at the lodge, you have the option to join the prayer ceremony at the Tengboche monastery. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 07 - Tengboche to Dingboche (13,950 ft.)

Anapurna
Feriche Valley (Photo: Jenny Gurung)

Descend to Debuche where there is a nunnery. From today, you will start to notice the change in the landscape. Forests give way to arid landscape with shrubs. Ascend gradually to Pangboche and then to Dingboche in the Imja valley. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 08 - Dingboche (13,950 ft.)

Rest day for acclimatization. Free to go for a day hike or to just relax. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 09 - Dingboche to Dughla (15,100 ft.)

Climb gradually to the top of a hill overlooking the Feriche valley. Cross a few pastures and make a short but steep ascent to Dughla where you will reach for lunch. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 10 - Dughla to Lobuche (16,200 ft.)

The trail is steep at first till the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier where this is an area with monuments dedicated to climbers who have perished on Khumbu's mountains. Past this point it is a gradual ascent to Lobuche where, again, you will arrive before lunch. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 11 - Lobuche to Gorakshep (17,100 ft.)

Ascend gently through meadows and then cross several steep moraines to Gorakshep which is situated on a sandy and flat section that served as base camp for the 1952 Swiss Everest expedition. From Gorakshep, you may opt to continue to the Everest Base Camp walking through jumbles of small rocks and boulders but you must return to Gorakshep for the night. The round-trip hike from Gorakshep to Base Camp can take around four to five hours. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 12 - Gorakshep to Dzongla (15,900 ft.)

Hike up Kalapathar (18,195 ft.) for views of Everest. This 1,100 ft. steep ascent is challenging. Previous clients' times for this climb have ranged from two to five hours - one way. But, there is no doubt that, weather permitting, the summit of Kalapathar serves as one of the best face-to-face view-point for the southern massif of Mt. Everest.

Enjoy a well deserved lunch either at Gorakshep or Lobuche and continue to Dzongla. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 13 - Dzongla to Thagnag


Salam Singh and Werner on Cho La pass

Start early from Dzongla walking through a pasture before beginning a steep ascent to the Cho La pass. Some scrambling on all fours might be necessary as you navigate through the rocky trail. You will then reach a glacier from where it is a gradual ascent to the pass. The trail on the descent from the pass is steep and can be icy. After crossing this section, you will, again, hike on a moraine until you reach Thagnag. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 14 - Thagnag to Gokyo (15,500 ft.)

From Thagnag, climb to the Ngozumpa glacier. You will cross the muddy glacier and then ascend gradually passing a few lakes until you reach Gokyo. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 15 - Gokyo (15,500 ft.)

The hike to Gokyo Ri (17,400 ft.) is similar to the hike up Kala Pathar - a little shorter and easier. From here, you are able to view Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho-Oyu - all rising above 8,000 meters. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 16 - Gokyo to Lungden (14,350 ft.)

Another early start day - climb steeply to Renjo La (17,700 ft) from where, again, awe-inspiring views are possible. From the pass, descend steeply to reach Lungden a village that has still not been much influenced by Nepal's tourism. The hike today can take over eight hours. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 17 - Lungden to Thame (12,500 ft.)


The hike to Thame is a short descent. At Thame, visit the monastery. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 18 - Thame to Khumjung (12,200 ft.)

Trek on fairly level trail today. Approaching Namche, we will take a diversion and climb, past the Syangboche air-strip, towards Khumjung. This is the site of the famous Hillary school. And above Khumjung is the Khunde hospital which you may opt to visit. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 19 - Khumjung to Monjo (9,100 ft.)

Descend steeply to Lukla and then to Jorsalle. Climb a short section until Monjo. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 20 - Monjo to Lukla (9,100 ft.)

Anapurna
Lukla airport (Photo: Claudine)

Last day of trekking as you re-trace to Lukla. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 21 - Lukla to Kathmandu

Fly Lukla to Kathmandu. Day free in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (Breakfast)

Day 22 - Kathmandu

Sightseeing in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (All meals)

Day 23 - Depart for home

Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel. Day Free.

 

Price includes:

Price does not include:

TO BOOK THIS TRIP:

To book the trip, please download and complete the reservation form and send it to us either as an email attachment or by fax.

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

Fax: + 977 1 4412647

A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of booking this trip. Deposit must be paid by wire transfer. Details will be provided. We will reimburse up to $30 to cover wire expenses.  Balance payment is required after arrival in Kathmandu.

Download reservation form here (PDF) »

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TRIP LEADER:


Manju approaching Gokyo Ri

The April and October departures will be led by Manju Rai. About 18 years ago, Manju started out as a porter and kitchen boy for Peter Owens (of Peter Owen's Asian Treks) becoming an accomplished cook in less than 5 years. He has now been guiding for 10 years and is a senior guide at Crystal Mountain Treks. He has guided treks in Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Dolpo.

Manju has undergone the 5 day First Aid course conducted by Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP) and like all Crystal Mountain Trek's senior guides is required to take a refresher every year. For references, please email us and we will put you in contact with past clients who can share their experience with Manju as guide.


Manju approaching Gokyo Ri

The May and November departures will be led by Buddhi Rai. Buddhi's cheerful and happy attitude makes him a popular guide among our trekking friends. Buddhi has trekked extensively in Nepal from east to west, as well as in Tibet and Pakistan. Buddhi has been guiding for over 25 years and has the record of accomplishing the most trips to Everest among CMT guides. Prior to guiding, he was also an accomplished trekking cook, and his latent culinary skills may show themselves while on a camping trek.

Buddhi has undergone the 5 day First Aid course conducted by Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP) and like all Crystal Mountain Trek's senior guides is required to take a refresher every year. For references, please email us and we will put you in contact with past clients who can share their experience with Buddhi as guide.

 

Altitude sickness

This trek does involve sleeping and hiking at high altitude. We will, as we do for all high-altitude treks, provide a A Gamow Bag for this trip.  A GAMOW bag is a portable hyperbaric chamber that looks like an inflatable extra-large sleeping bag. The effective altitude inside the inflated GAMOW bag is about 5000 feet lower than the altitude you are at; it has been very effective in the past in relieving headaches and other symptoms of altitude sickness.

REFERENCES:

Crystal Mountain Treks organizes treks and tours in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet for hundreds of satisfied travelers every year. Feel free to ask us for references who can tell you about their experience with us.

WHY BOOK WITH CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN?:

There are over 500 and counting trekking companies in Nepal. We are aware that you have lots of options. But, we believe there are reasons we stand out from our competitors. We've listed some reasons here...

 

TREK RATING:

This trek is rated challenging and involves trekking at high altitude; highest altitude reached is 18,192 ft. at the summit of Kalapathar. This trip also involves crossing the Cho La and Renjo La; both passes are approximately 17,700 ft.  in elevation. Highest overnight elevation is 17,100 ft at Gorakshep. The entire trip involves a lot of ascents and descents and the descent from the top of the two passes is especially long and hard on the knees.

While you have to be in good physical condition, no technical climbing experience is required nor do you have to be a very experienced hiker to participate on this trek. There will be snow on the pass and the descent can be icy. But our experienced staff will always be there to assist you.

Other Treks to the Everest region:

PRE AND POST TRIP EXTENSIONS:

Arriving early or leaving late? Nepal (and the region) has a lot to offer besides your main trip to Everest. Depending on the extra days you have and your budget, we would be glad to match you up with one of the following activities:

Contact us for more details: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

QUESTIONS:

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

Phone
Land Line: + 977 1 4416813

Mobile: + 977 98410-00724